Washington has imposed Iran-related sanctions on three individuals and 16 entities, according to a posting on the Treasury web site on Wednesday.
The three individuals are Ahmad Marvi and Mohammad Mokhber, both from Iran, and Abd al-Aziz Malluh Mirjirash Al-Muhammadawi from Iraq, the statement said.
Among the entities that have been included on the list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control are Execution of Imam Khomeinis Order (EIKO) and Astan Quds Razavi (AQR) that are reportedly controlled by Iranss supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. The US Treasury Department believes these organisations control a major part of the Iranian economy, including the assets seized from political dissidents and representatives of religious minorities.
The sanctions block US assets of the sanctioned entities and bar US citizens from having any business ties with the targeted individuals.
Since withdrawing from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement in May 2018, the US has subsequently imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, targeting its oil exports, production of steel and mining.